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Book Reviews
Insurgency reinterpreted
Title: 'E-Danda'
Author: Mineka P. Wickramasingha
Published: 2010
Genre: Novel
It is a great pleasure for me to be associated with the launching of
Mineka P. Wickramasingha's novel, 'E-Danda'. I have known him (fondly
known as Mickey) and his wife Romayne for a long time. Significantly,
the novel is dedicated to her. All of you would know the proverbial
saying that behind a successful man there is a woman. Both of them are
steeped in the world of business, but they are remarkable in that they
have remained cultured and have retained an
interest in books. They are serious-minded and have a philosophic side
to their thinking. Mickey is an adherent of the Yoga and Philosophy of
Sri Aurobindo Ghose and The Mother of Pondicherry, South India, and took
to serious writing as a part of his spiritual discipline. 1995, he
published a collection of stories titled 'The Playmate'. This volume won
the State Literary Prize in the category of Short Stories. Mickey has
thus already shown that he is a thinking and talented writer.
Live by pen
Most Sri Lankan writers tend to write short poems and short stories
because writing is for them a part time vocation, understandably given
that they could not live by the pen. Writing a novel requires steady
application. Fortunately, Mickey has found the time to produce a novel,
an achievement in itself. It has had a long period of gestation, not
unexpectedly given his business commitments. However, this has proved
fortunate in that it has imparted a depth to the thinking behind the
novel.
The JVP insurgency of 1988-89 is the focus of the novel. It has been
said of the earlier JVP insurrection of 1971 that it shook not only our
complacency but our conscience. The later revolt too had a similar
impact in some quarters and, probably, on Mickey himself.
The insurgency of 1971 spurred Sri Lankan writers to produce a number
of remarkable creative works about it. Curiously, Raja Proctor's novel
'Waiting for Surabiel' had an anticipatory conclusion that another
insurrection was a possibility. This played itself out in 1988-89.
Idealistic insurrection
There was a wide gulf between the JVP of 1971 which was considered
idealistic, and the JVP of 1988-89 which was regarded as bloody. There
was consequently a wide gulf between the attitudes in Sri Lanka towards
the two insurgencies - sympathy, even admiration, in some quarters, in
1971; alienation, even horror, in 1988-89. Mickey is different in that,
while he notes that the JVP in 1988-89 was bloody, nevertheless regards
the rebels as still idealistic. Mickey is, probably, right in thinking
that the insurgents were basically still idealistic though the means
they employed were more tainted.
The title of Mickey's novel, 'E-Danda', is significant. The e-danda
is, at one level, real: it is the gateway to Kohomba Kanda, the village
which is the main setting of the novel. It is also the unmistakable
symbolic centre of the novel. Kalu, the rural youth who had made good in
London, returns to the village, points to the e-danda and shouts: "This
is what the insurgency is about" (164pp). The narrator glosses: The E-danda
links together the present with a civilization two, three, four
centuries back, or is it a relic of primitive origin that still exists
in the modern world? (164pp) The novel has it that the E-danda is both.
The traditional father tells Kalu:
"Yes son, still the E-danda. It has been here from the time I came to
this village and I hope it will remain till I die." (p.138)
End of an insurgency
The educated rural youth like his son Pol, who form the backbone of
the insurgency, want to end the stagnation which the e-danda represents
for them, the status quo which grinds them down. The narrator is bold
and forthright in his condemnation of the inequalities and iniquities of
the present system and is unsparing in holding the politicians
responsible for it. 'E-Danda' is, first and foremost, a political novel.
It is also a novel with human interest. The insurgents are normal human
beings who also have interests other than politics. The politics of the
novel is interwoven with two love stories so that its appeal becomes
wider.
Unlike the 1971 insurrection, the 1988-89 revolt did not result in
much creative writing. 'E-Danda', in fact, is unique in that it is the
only novel in English so far about this important period in our history
whose currents are still with us.
Professor D C R A Goonetilleke
Sunanda through others' eyes
********
Title: Janamadhya Sanskrutiya
Haa Samajaya: Mahacharya Sunanda
Mahendra Sara Sannidhi Sangrahaya
(Mass Media Culture and Society:
Articles in Honour of Professor Sunanda Mahendra)
Compiler: Lalith Priyankara
Publisher: S. Godage and Brothers
Page count: 295
Genre: Felicitation volume
********
"Just about to turn into Bullers Road, from the tar stretch that led
to the Radio Ceylon, I saw a slim, tall young man with a longish face. I
recognized him instantly; I had seen him before. The desire to speak to
him had always nagged me; but never fulfilled... Now, he walked towards
me, a broad smile upon his face. His welcome was that of a friend of
many years. Even today, I fondly reminisce that warm welcome every time
I see him..."
Many years after the reputed artiste Karunaratne Amarasinghe met who
would one day be the illustrious Prof. Sunanda Mahendra; I met him.
Though this time, it was through neither sight nor smile, but the warm,
rustling pages of a book.
'Media Culture and the Society' is a felicitation volume published to
commemorate the 72nd birth anniversary of Prof. Sunanda Mahendra.
Professor of Mass Media, University of Kelaniya, Sunanda Mahendra is
a versatile personality who deems no special introduction.
A poet, writer, radio journalist, playwright, director; he is quite
aptly described by Aruna Lokuliyana as one of the two great Sri Lankan
dramatists; the other being Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra. A founding
member of the Department of Communication of the University of Kelaniya,
he has written and compiled over 150 books. Amongst them, the novels,
Hewaneli Ada Minissu (Men with Crooked Shadows), Niruwat Deviwaru (Naked
Gods) and the poetry collection Oaga Tharanaya (Crossing the Torrent)
have received the State Literary Award.
He is also the producer of many dramas including, Gehaniyak (A
Woman), 'Jana Hathura' (A Public Enemy), Pitastarayo (Outsiders) and
Socrates.
The book is a vivid showcase into the life of this extremely
illustrious personality and the interesting life that he has woven. It
is no mere felicitation volume; delving through the pages one gets a
glimpse into the world of Sunanda Mahendra - his drama, poetry, short
stories; his patriotism and even his stance on the politics and current
affairs of today.
The latter half comprises of numerous articles covering a wide scope
of subjects such as drama, Buddhism and journalism: a window for the
general reader to the complex world of arts.
Through the memories of the likes of Karunaratne Amarasinghe and
Lucian Bulathsinhala, Premathilake Perukanda we get a glimpse of bygone
days and the moulding of a great personality. Sunil Mihindukula, Gamini
Kandepola, Ranjith Dharmakeerthi and Ven. Konwewe Ariyarathana Thera
introduce us to his work through a critical perspective. The collection
of newspaper interviews gives us a view of Prof. Sunanda Mahendra
himself; on his views of literary criticism in Sri Lanka (or rather the
lack of it); on drama and the politics of the day.
The latter half of the volume is a treasure trove for those seeking
to broaden their knowledge and perspective: the likes of Indrasiri
Suraweera, Ven. Professor Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thera, Aruna
Lokuliyana, Ven. Siyambalawewe Pannasara Thera, Ven. Pathegama
Gnanissara Thera, Professor Kusuma Karunaratne and Dharshana Rathnayake
delving into topics as diverse as Buddhism, culture, drama and media.
Dulshani Gunawardena
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